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Thursday, 25 June 2015

I've been meaning to get this pattern out for months, I tell you. It's one of those which has been lingering in my design book, waiting for me to take some photos and make a YouTube tutorial to accompany it.

And I've finally done it.

It's not at all difficult and involves a hook, yarn, some double crochet and some bobble stitches.

And a few buttons.

And a cushion that measures 45cms*

* ok, that's a teeny lie. I used a 45 cm cushion, but this pattern can be easily adjusted for any size- see under the pattern for how to do it.

Onwards.

Bobble Stitch Cushion

Pattern written in UK terms

ch = chain

dc = double crochet

yoh = yarn over hook

To make the bobble stitch:

1) Yoh, hook into stitch, yoh, draw yarn through stitch.

Yoh, draw yarn through first 2 loops (2 loops on hook)

2) repeat (3 loops on hook)

3) repeat (4 loops on hook)

4) repeat (5 loops on hook)

5) repeat (6 loops on hook)

6) Yoh, draw yarn through all loops.

You need:

Hook and yarn (what ever you fancy here. I used 4 x balls of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Glacier (shade 105) and a 12 mm hook.

Cushion

Buttons (I used 4 x 2.5cm)

Pattern

Both sides of the cushion are crocheted in rows. At the beginning of each row, turn your work and ch1.

Front of cushion (make 1)

Foundation chain: ch31

Row 1: dc in each st across row (31 sts)

Row 2: dc 3, *bobble in next st, dc 3* repeat from * to * across row

Rows 3-5: dc in each st across row (31 sts)

Row 6: dc 5, *bobble in next st, dc 3* repeat from * to * across row, until you have 5 sts left, then dc 5.

Rows 7-9: repeat row 1

Rows 10-37: repeat the pattern: row 2, then x3 rows of dc, then row 6, followed by x3 rows of dc

Back of cushion (make 1)

Foundation chain: ch31

Rows 1-37: dc in each st across row (31 sts)

To make up:

Align the front and back pieces with wrong sides together with the bobble side facing you, right-way-up. Beginning at the top left corner and working in a clockwise direction, dc three of the sides together. You will need to put 3 dcs in the corner stitches. Stitch a few buttons along the top of the cushion, on the wrong side of the bobble edge. Use the spaces between the stitches on the back piece as button holes.

To adjust this pattern to fit any cushion, you need to alter the width and height of the front and back panels. To adjust the width, make sure your foundation chain is a multiple of 4 and add 3 more. To change the height, simply add or subtract the total number of rows.

Saturday, 20 June 2015

So when your good friend, who is a lactation consultant asks if you can make some Croobs (crochet boobs), what do you say?

Obvious, really.

The perfect gift for a midwife, breastfeeding councillor, health visitor or any other in-need-of-a-boob-type-person.

Here's the pattern, written in UK terms:

By varying it slightly you can create a normal, inverted and flat Croob (explanations below).

Each Croob measures approx 10cms in diameter.

You need:

Hook and yarn (any dk or Aran weight will do it)

Toy stuffing

I used a 4.5mm hook and Drops Paris Cotton in Dark Beige (26) for the nipple and Powder Pink (58) for the flesh. You'll probably need 2 balls of the pink to make all three Croobs.

Normal Croob

In beige

Rnd 1: 6dc in magic ring or ch2, 6dc in 2nd ch from hook.

Rnds 2 and 3: 1dc in each st around

Rnd 4: 2dc in each st around (12 sts)

Rnd 5: (1dc, 2dc in next st) repeat around (18)

Rnd 6: (2dc, 2dc in next st) repeat around (24)

Rnd 7: (3dc, 2dc in next st) repeat around (30)

Change to pink

Rnd 8: (4dc, 2dc in next st) repeat around (36)

Rnd 9: (5dc, 2dc in next st) repeat around (42)

Rnd 10: 1dc in each st around

Rnd 11: (6dc, 2dc in next st) repeat around (48)

Rnd 12: (7dc, 2dc in next st) repeat around (54)

Rnds 13-17: 1dc in each st around.

Rnd 18: (7dc, dc2tog) repeat around (48)

Rnd 19: (6dc, dc2tog) repeat around (42)

Rnd 20: 1dc in each st around

Rnd 21: (5dc, dc2tog) repeat around (36)

Rnd 22: (4dc, dc2tog) repeat around (30)

Rnd 23: (3dc, dc2tog) repeat around (24)

Rnd 24: (2dc, dc2tog) repeat around (18)

Stuff firmly

Rnd 25: (1dc, dc2tog) repeat around (12)

Rnd 26: dc2tog around (6)

Finish stuffing and sew closed.

Flat Croob

Make as normal, but miss out rounds 2 and 3.

Inverted Croob

Make as normal, but leave a long tail of the beige when you begin. Once you get to round 24, pull the tail to invert the nipple. Stuff as usual and complete the pattern. Tie the beige tail to the pink to prevent the nipple from un-inverting and sew closed.

Monday, 15 June 2015

This time it's my latest collaboration with Black Sheep Wools. They provided me with a squillion* balls of my absolute mostest favouritest** yarn and asked if I could possibly make a beach bag and a gadget case...

* ok, not a squillion, exactly. More like 37. One of every colour.

** it's Rico Creative Cotton Aran. My favourite because I use it a lot. I like the colours. I like the texture. I like the stitch definition I get when working with it. And I like the price. In fact, I LOVE the price (at around £1.80 a 50g ball, it's an absolute bargain)

And so I set to work. I chose 14 of the most vibrant colours and began making stripes.

I then lined the bag (totally impressed myself there- I am the sort of sewist who can only manage a wonky straight line, if you know what I mean) to give it a bit of strength.

And stitched handles. To give it hold-y-uppy bits.

A very easy project, but effective, I think you'll agree.

Next there was a gadget case. Well, as I still had leftover yarn, it made sense to continue with the same colours. But a different pattern this time.

Wobbly waves.

But then I still had yarn left. What to do....?

Of course. A sunglasses case.

To break from the whole stripes thing, I went for granny squares. On the diagonal.

And I lined this too. To stop the sunglasses getting caught in the holey bits.

And so, dear friends, here is the link to Black Sheep Wools' free pattern page, where you'll find the links for these and lots of other projects, too. Don't forget to share your makes via social media (you can find me at various social hang-outs over there on the right) using the hashtag #bswsummer

And why not use the brillioso discount code 'ANNABOO10' at Black Sheep Wools to get 10% off Rico Creative Cotton Aran so that you can get making your beach bag right away?! (offer valid until July 13th 2015, not to be used in conjunction with any other offer, blahdy-blah-blah...)